A commitment to the community, to the youth, to everybody: the Los Angeles Philharmonic always knew how to combine its openness towards the audience with appealing, sophisticated programming, taking the performances to the highest level. This music documentary provides insights why the orchestra on the west coast is “the most important orchestra in America.”

To illustrate the evolution of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the film includes historical parts to trace the steps that played a part in where the orchestra stands today. From the Trinity Auditorium to the Philharmonic Auditorium, the Hollywood Bowl, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion up to Frank Gehry’s landmark creation, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, each of these venues marked the beginning of a new era for the orchestra. By the early 1990’s, Los Angeles had become a huge multicultural metropolis. And similarly, these rich cultural influences have shaped the LA Phil’s artistic profile encompassing California creativity and soul. In 2019, the Los Angeles Philharmonic is turning 100 and throwing an epic party – aside from an exciting, widely spread centennial program, the orchestra marks the milestone with public celebrations, education and social-impact initiatives, showcasing and honoring the diversity of Los Angeles.

The documentary film includes archive material (photographs & film/video) for the historical part, shows the orchestra and Gustavo Dudamel at rehearsals, contains excerpts of concerts, captures the work with YOLA and the collaboration with artists like John Adams, and interviews with Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Deborah Borda, Frank Gehry, Zarchary Woolfe (New York Times), Mark Swed (LA Times), to name but a few.